11 important albums in 2008

This is only a small personal selection of a few albums important to me in 2008. There are, of course, many more ;-)




Jex Thoth

In my humble opinion the most impressive album in 2008. Not only because Jex herself knows exactly how to thrill you with her conjuring voice, moreover she and her guys did one of the most uncommercial albums ever. They offer a tough mixture of heavy psychedelic rock and doom, which could not be farer away from contemporary pop music. Solemn, dark and ritual tunes from a different time.

Beck - Modern Guilt

More reduced and ethereal than his previous output "The Information" - once again Beck invites us to a journey through stunning songwriting-landscapes. People may compare it with "Sea Change" - no revolutionary change, but quite delightful.




dEUS - Vantage Point

dEUS - an essential belgian group. Their songs need time to grow. No exception on "Vantage Point": dEUS introduce a bunch of songs with small details and cutest moments to their loyal audience. Post Rock, Indie Pop or whatever - they chill out, they dance, they dream...To pick out two highlights: "Slow" refined by Karin Dreijer (The Knife) and, of course, "The Architect".

Foals - Antidotes

The heartbeat of a great weekend - Antidotes. Standing in line with Metronomy, MGMT and Vampire Weekend.

Max Tundra - Parallax Error Beheads You

Max Tundra makes use of the wide variety popular music is able to offer nowadays. He takes the best parts and destroys them in a furious way. On the one hand this is sweet and tasty, on the other hand it is quite exhausting. However, despite all this noise and chaos it works fine and makes the magic moments shine even brighter.

Portishead - Third

This album gives me the shivers. Subtle industrial meets delicate melancholy. Struggling hard to get their third album done Portishead finally released a really sharp soundtrack of life in all its scary complexity. Disturbing but purifying.

Metronomy - Nights Out

New Rave? Whatever... first it felt a bit weird, then suddenly it all made sense and this Album hit me hard. Great surprise. Addictive.

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Ecstasy for your ears. Thrilling tracks with lovely lyrics. Playful song-writing and infectious vocals in falsetto. Oracular spectacular.

Santogold

A more moderate M.I.A. ...nevertheless essential in 2008.

The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath

Absolutely mind-blowing and breath-taking. For me personally the most perfect album since their fabulous debut. Actually, it is easier to consume than their last two outputs, since they do not lose themselves in too many trippy soundscapes.

Vampire Weekend

This is a very refreshing indie-pop album full of airy, transparent and subtle constructed songs shining with afro-beat and addictive tunes. Absolutely charming.